RFA Maine (1902)

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Career Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ensign
Name: RFA Maine
Launched: 1902
Acquired: by purchase, 1920
Commissioned: 1922
Decommissioned: 21 February 1947
Fate: Broken up, 1948
General characteristics
Type: Hospital ship

Royal Field Ambulance ship Maine (formerly the SS Panama) was a hospital ship of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, that served during World War II.

The third, and longest serving, ship to bear the name was originally launched as the SS Panama in 1902. She was purchased by the Admiralty in 1920 for use as a hospital ship with the Mediterranean Fleet.

She entered service after conversion in 1922 and was mainly based at Malta, although in 1926 she spent a period on the China Station. In 1935 she attended King George V's Silver Jubilee Fleet Review off Spithead. On 20 February 1928 Maine broke her moorings during a storm at Malta and was grounded.

Based at Alexandria, Egypt, during World War II, Maine treated more than 13,000 patients. She was decommissioned on 21 February 1947, and was broken up in Bo'ness, Scotland, in 1948.

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